Lane’s End Farm’s multiple Grade 1-winning first-crop sire Liam’s Map concluded his inaugural yearling sales season on an upswing. From a 2016 stud fee of $25,000, Liam’s Map ranked in the top three by first-crop North American stallion averages with a figure of $162,293. The speedy gray was fourth by first-crop median of $150,000, earning supporters six-times the stud fee paid. Of the 64 yearlings by Liam’s Map that were sold this year, 46 brought $100,000 or more.

The highest priced hip of 2018 came during Keeneland September when Hip 605 consigned by Taylor Made Sales, agent for Siena Farm, was hammered down for $500,000. The filly out of the Bernardini mare, Zayanna is a half-sister to stakes performers Velvet Mood and Admiral Jimmy and from the immediate family of Grade 3 winner Dilemma. Earlier in that same sale, a winning bid of $450,000 came for Hip 442 from bloodstock agent Frank Alosa on behalf of Red Lane Thoroughbreds. The yearling, from the immediate family of MGSW Southdale, became the highest priced colt for Liam’s Map in 2018. A pair of $400,000 purchases followed suit later that week going to prominent agents Marette Farrell and Steve Young. Other preeminent buyers include Ken McPeek, J.J. Crupi, Mike Ryan, and Spendthrift Farm.

With outstanding support at public auction and from breeders in his early years at stud, Liam’s Map is poised to have a sensational first crop of two-year-olds in 2019.